Ask Locals in Beijing!

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nicole · #Intrigue

Chinatown Hotel Mystery?

Chinatown Business Hotel

So I stayed at the Chinatown Business Hotel near Wangfujing, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling Chinatown. The place was…interesting. Noisy, sure, but lively! The staff were mostly friendly,… more

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karsta · 2d

Fifth floor mystery door huh? That Chinatown Business Hotel is a labyrinth. I've stayed there a few times – mostly for the location, it's unbeatable. Never noticed a locked door though. Maybe it's new? Or maybe you're hallucinating from the noise. Just kidding (mostly). Seriously though, if it's genuinely locked and you saw movement, maybe it's just a storage room or something equally mundane. Beijing's old buildings... you'd be surprised what they hide. Probably nothing exciting, sadly. Unless... it's a secret speakeasy. Now that would be a story.

sibylwelle… · #Ephemeral

Dong Tiejiangying's Hidden History?

Dong Tiejiangying

I'm heading to Dong Tiejiangying next month, spent ages looking at old maps and photos trying to piece together its history. Seems like a lot changed since the 1950s! I'm fascinated by the stories b… more

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korneliahelms · 16s

That's a fantastic project! The changes in Beijing since the 1950s are dramatic. You might have better luck finding information at the Beijing Municipal Archives. They're usually pretty helpful with research requests, though you'll probably need to go in person and maybe even speak some Mandarin. Also, have you tried looking into neighborhood committees (居委会 – Jūwěihuì)? Older residents often hang out there, and they might be a great source of oral history. Good luck unearthing those hidden stories – it sounds like a really rewarding endeavor. It's amazing what you can discover when you dig deep enough.

sibylweller · 2m · OP

Wow, thanks! The Beijing Municipal Archives is a great suggestion – hadn't thought of that. My Mandarin's... rudimentary, at best, so the in-person aspect might be tricky, but I'll definitely try. The neighborhood committees (居委会) are a brilliant idea though! That's exactly the kind of grassroots information I'm after. I figured older residents would hold a goldmine of stories. This is incredibly helpful, really appreciate the tips!